Chapter Seventy-Four: Speculation

Qi Mo’s words managed to pull Shen Hezhi out of that oppressive sense of guilt. Though he still felt he owed Qi Mo something, the relentless self-reproach from before had faded.

“Since you’ve left that squad now, why not stay by my side? We can continue as we once did,” Shen Hezhi said with a gentle smile.

Despite his lingering guilt toward Qi Mo, there was a deep bond of brotherhood between them. Over all these years, Shen Hezhi often recalled the time he abandoned Qilian Mountain. But since the past was behind them, there was no need to dwell on it further. Now that he had a chance to make amends, he intended to treat Qi Mo well.

“Alright, since Your Highness is willing to honor me, of course I’m happy to stay,” Qi Mo replied with a hearty laugh.

It was as if they had returned to the old days.

“By the way,” Qi Mo added, “I have already given up the name of Qilian Mountain. You may simply call me Qi Mo.”

“Very well,” Shen Hezhi nodded. “While we’re on the subject, I have something else to ask you. It seems you were quite dissatisfied with the sergeant and the way things were run in that unit?”

Qi Mo nodded. “Actually, I didn’t feel this way at first. I came to that squad full of hope, believing it could save Beiyu. Nanyang is indeed powerful and possesses a formidable army, but we are not without merit.

“But once I joined, I realized the reality was far from what I’d imagined—so different, in fact, that I could hardly recognize it…”

Qi Mo began to recount his experience after joining the unit. In the beginning, things were not so lax. Drills were held daily in the barracks, and a different sergeant had been in command.

Then, for reasons unknown, rumors spread that their sergeant had made a grave mistake and was taken away. The new sergeant was sent in his place.

At first, this new commander maintained discipline and routine, but gradually, he stopped drilling the soldiers. Eventually, all training ceased.

Initially, the soldiers questioned and protested, hoping for change. But after repeated complaints went unanswered and hopes were dashed again and again, they finally gave up.

With no way to appeal to higher-ranking officials, they were left at the mercy of their sergeant. Over time, they grew accustomed to this idle existence.

But when war truly broke out, they had lost their former sharpness and were defeated again and again.

Once, this squad was celebrated as “The Invincibles,” but now they had only one name: “The Useless.”

The label clung to them relentlessly—no matter who heard they belonged to this unit, they would be called that.

Qi Mo was furious about this, but there was little he could do. He tried to seek help from the Dongfang family.

The Dongfangs had defended the frontier for generations, safeguarding Beiyu.

Qi Mo had hoped to get a response from them, but the family had fallen into internal strife—the patriarch was gravely ill, and the other members were embroiled in a power struggle.

So he found no solution, and could only linger in the unit, passing his days idly on the drill ground.

Until Shen Hezhi arrived. Qi Mo, harboring resentment for so long, finally found someone to vent his anger upon—only to discover that his intended target was none other than Shen Hezhi himself.

And now, this was where their story had led.

After hearing Qi Mo’s account, Shen Hezhi frowned in puzzlement and suspicion. “If what you say is true, this new sergeant is very problematic.”

“You said the previous sergeant was taken away for making a mistake. Did anyone ever say what that mistake was?” Shen Hezhi asked.

Qi Mo shook his head. “I tried to investigate, but found nothing. It’s as if the previous sergeant never existed. No matter whom I asked, no one had any answers—they didn’t even know who he was.”

“Which only proves how serious this is,” Shen Hezhi replied. “No one recognizes the former sergeant? Impossible. Don’t forget, this was once an undefeated unit—their commander would have been well known, perhaps even a household name.”

Qi Mo agreed. “So, you think he was framed?”

“Not only framed,” Shen Hezhi said, rubbing his chin as he analyzed the situation, “but it’s highly likely that some high-ranking official here colluded with people from Nanyang. Ever since this new sergeant arrived, everything he’s done has undermined Beiyu.”

Qi Mo nodded in agreement, continuing the line of thought. “If that’s the case, then this goes far beyond a single minor officer. If he’s able to do this, there must be someone powerful backing him.

“If we investigate, we’re bound to uncover a network of accomplices—perhaps a sizable faction in the capital itself.”

That was exactly what Shen Hezhi suspected.

Though he had come to the border at the emperor’s command and wielded considerable authority, the truth was that he and the emperor were fundamentally at odds. How could the emperor truly entrust him with power?

After all, being sent here was as good as a death sentence.

Which meant that investigating this matter would be fraught with difficulties.

“We mustn’t act hastily,” Shen Hezhi said. “We need to investigate slowly, and in secret. Since this sergeant is so brazen, he must have a powerful patron. Let’s not alert him—when the prey finally exposes its weakness, we’ll strike and finish him in one blow!” Shen Hezhi smiled.

Qi Mo nodded.

“You and Shen Yi go find a place to settle for now. There’s bound to be much to do in the coming days.”

“Alright,” Qi Mo replied, and left the study.

After Qi Mo’s departure, Shen Hezhi did not relax—instead, he grew even more grave.

It seemed the emperor had sent him to this frontier with every intention of getting rid of him.

Could one of the people backing this sergeant be the emperor himself?

If that were true, then the emperor was truly muddle-headed—colluding with the enemy nation!